Snelling, Alderman headline Marlins' Minor League award winners

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MIAMI -- There were three noticeable absences from Saturday afternoon’s ceremony to honor the Marlins’ 2025 organizational Minor League award winners: left-handers Robby Snelling and Thomas White as well as outfielder Kemp Alderman.

And for good reason.

That trio was gearing up for the Triple-A National Championship game in Las Vegas after helping Triple-A Jacksonville to the International League title on Thursday. Snelling pitched in relief for the first time and gave up a go-ahead homer in the ninth, but former first-round Jacob Berry bailed him out with a walk-off blast.

Snelling and Alderman were named Pitcher and Player of the Year, respectively, for their bounce-back campaigns. White was named Double-A Pensacola’s MVP.

After coming over to the Marlins’ organization in the Tanner Scott trade and finishing a disappointing 2024 season strong, Snelling picked up right where he left off in ’25.

The 22-year-old Snelling, who ranks as Miami’s No. 4 prospect and No. 75 overall, led the organization in starts (25), ERA (2.51) and strikeouts (166) between Double-A and Triple-A. The southpaw was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week during his time with the Blue Wahoos, and August’s International League Pitcher of the Month with the Jumbo Shrimp.

“I think it starts with those two guys, cream of the crop from the left-handed pitcher prospect, and as far as the entire organization, and system, and really league wide,” director of Minor League operations Hector Crespo said of Snelling and White. “So proud of those guys. I think in Spring Training you're always hopeful about guys having really good years, and just to see their preparation and then perform, I think now industry wide, they're starting to get some recognition.”

Alderman, who ranks as the Marlins’ No. 10 prospect, missed substantial time due to injury in 2024 before breaking out in last year’s Arizona Fall League.

The 23-year-old led the system in hits (139), home runs (22), extra-base hits (47), RBIs (70) and total bases (235). Alderman became the first player in Blue Wahoos history to win Southern League Player of the Week three different times, and he was named a 2025 Southern League All-Star.

“Obviously, really proud,” Crespo said. “Tough year last year, just from an injury perspective. Just so happy with him really taking his training into games and his deficiency, which was kind of fastball velocity in the zone, and seeing him continuously train that, be bullish about it, be willing to fail so that he could set himself up for a really good year.”

Miami also recognized Florida Complex League catcher Jeremy Almonte as Student of the Year and High-A Beloit manager Angel Espada as Staff Member of the Year for guiding the Sky Carp to their first postseason berth since 2018.

Here are the MVPs for each affiliate:

Triple-A: OF Jakob Marsee
Before Marsee made his historic Major League debut on Aug. 1, the 24-year-old led Triple-A in stolen bases (47) and ranked third in walks (68). He was among the Jumbo Shrimp’s leaders in triples (five), homers (14) and OPS (.817) in 98 games.

Double-A: LHP Thomas White (Marlins’ No. 1 prospect, No. 21 overall)
White, who turns 21 on Monday, began his second full professional season with High-A Beloit and ended it at Triple-A. Prior to the final promotion, the southpaw posted a 1.59 ERA and a 14.9 K/9 across 10 starts and earned Southern League Pitcher of the Month for August. In his Double-A swan song, White tossed five no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts, garnering Southern League Pitcher of the Week.

High-A Beloit: RHP Karson Milbrandt (Marlins No. 18)
In his third season with the Sky Carp, Milbrandt finally broke through. He led Beloit in strikeouts (101) and paced Midwest League pitchers with an 11.75 K/9 (min. 60 IP). Before joining Pensacola, the 21-year-old compiled a 2.22 ERA over his final five starts, two of which featured 10-strikeout performances.

Single-A Jupiter: RHP Eliazar Dishmey (Marlins No. 30)
Dishmey, who turns 21 on Oct. 25, recorded a 3.13 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) for the Hammerheads. The Dominican-born righty was best in June, when he boasted a 0.84 ERA across four starts. Before his promotion to High-A Beloit, Dishmey allowed one run or fewer in nine of his starts.

Florida Complex League: LHP Nate Payne (Marlins No. 28)
The FCL Marlins’ Opening Day starter posted a 3.18 ERA, going on to lead the FCL in strikeouts (55) and K/9 (12.48, min. 37 IP). From June 12-25, the 20-year-old Payne tossed three consecutive scoreless outings. Payne ended his season at Single-A, compiling a 3.24 ERA in six starts.

Dominican Summer League Marlins: OF Luis Cova (Marlins No. 17)
Cova, 18, was selected as a DSL postseason All-Star after slugging a team-leading nine homers, 95 total bases, a .537 slugging percentage and 35 steals (fourth in DSL).

DSL Miami: OF José Castro
Castro, who turns 20 on Saturday, hit 16 homers – the most in DSL history in the stat-tracking era (since 2006). He led the DSL in extra-base hits (30) and posted a .984 OPS. Like Cova, Castro was named a DSL Postseason All-Star selection in addition to winning DSL Player of the Week.